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The March unemployment rate in St. Joseph County decreased by three-tenths of a percent compared to a month earlier. The monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget showed St. Joseph County’s 6.5 percent March unemployment rate was less than February’s 6.8 percent. In addition, the March unemployment rate was 1.4 percent less than the same …

Names of the three people involved in a two-vehicle accident have been released by Michigan State Police. The incident occurred around 12:15 p.m. Thursday at Riverside Drive and U.S. 131 in Constantine Township. Investigators said Patricia VanDyke, 74, of Elkhart, proceeded east on Riverside and into the path of a northbound semi driven by Timothy Miller, 61, of Kalamazoo. VanDyke …

The case of a Burr Oak woman charged with murder and felony firearm has been bound over to circuit court. Thirty-four-year-old Maria Audrey-Louise Williams is accused in the shooting death of Dennis Brooks, 33. The incident occurred March 13 in Burr Oak Township. Judge Rob Pattison on Friday said sufficient evidence for the charge of open murder was presented, resulting …

Saturday’s recycling of household hazardous waste and electronics was most likely the largest ever in the nine-year history of the spring event. Sponsored by the St. Joseph County Solid Waste Management Planning Committee, the collection drew almost 40,000 pounds of electronics, 715 tires, about 2,500 cans of paint, 14,000 pounds of hazardous waste and 80 appliances. In all cases, the …

Two incumbents will likely be returning to the Three Rivers City Commission later this year, while a third will be involved in a contested race. City clerk Melissa Bliss said an August runoff vote will not be necessary, meaning Second District Commissioner Alison Haigh and Fourth District representative Carolyn McNary will run unopposed in November’s general election. Incumbent Daryl Griffith, …

Longtime Sturgis resident Mark Dvorak was appointed to the Sturgis City Commission Wednesday. With a seat to the nine-member commission open as a result of Michael Wilson’s move from the city’s Third Precinct, Dvorak received four votes from the commission. Kimberly Wilson received two and Mark Ritter earned one endorsement. Dvorak will serve until the term expires in November 2016. …

The mother of homicide victim Jodi Parrack said anyone with knowledge of the incident should step forward and tell the truth. Jo Gilson, mother of 11-year-old Parrack, addressed the media Tuesday at the Constantine Police Department. The event was staged following last week’s arrest of Raymond McCann on a felony charge of perjury. A warrant for McCann’s arrest was issued …

A Saginaw-area native has been offered the job of superintendent of Colon Community Schools. Members of the Colon Community Schools Board of Education Monday selected Victor Bugni to succeed Lloyd Kirby, who retired last summer. After a lengthy discussion and 6-1 vote, Bugni was chosen over Mesick Consolidated Schools Superintendent Mike Corey. Board member Wendell Grunner cast the dissenting vote, …

Three people were arrested Wednesday in Flowerfield Township on methamphetamine-related charges. Investigators from the St. Joseph County Area Narcotics unit executed two search warrants on Floating Bridge Road, which culminated a several-week investigation. The search warrant was for the arrest of a wanted fugitive. The fugitive, a 19-year-old Indiana resident, was wanted in connection with an armed robbery in Sturgis …

Potential action on an ordinance regarding wood-burning furnaces in the village limits could be taken by White Pigeon municipal officials next month. The issue was discussed at length during Wednesday’s village council meeting, where President Dan Czajkowski said he is eager to see the matter put to rest, no matter what direction the seven-member panel takes. He said the council …